Free agent shooting guard DeMar DeRozan never wanted to leave The North, and the Toronto Raptors made sure of that by forking over some major coin.
The All-Star will reportedly ink a five-year contract worth over $139 million.
Sources on @TheVertical: DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors reach agreement on five-year, $139M-plus deal. https://t.co/jSDzYO3gCf
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2016
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— James Herbert (@outsidethenba) July 1, 2016
DeRozan, 26, only met with the Raptors once free agency officially kicked off at midnight.
Per USA Today:
Just hours after the NBA’s free agency period formally began, the Toronto Raptors All-Star decided to re-sign on a five-year deal.
While a maximum salary deal for DeRozan would have been worth a combined $153 million, the 26-year-old All-Star made it clear to the Raptors that he might be willing to take less if it helped their cause on other free agency fronts. Whether it was retaining center Bismack Biyombo or finding new talent to add to the team that challenged the eventual champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, DeRozan wanted to assist.
The Raptors’ ability to get an early commitment kept him from heading out into the open market. DeRozan averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and four assists last season.
Keep up with the latest signings during the July free-agency period by following our 2016 NBA Free Agent Tracker.
